Joining the Thin Club

The Last Ten...

No, I'm not talking about the last ten pounds.  Those I've pretty much resolved to always retaining as part of my low-hanging belly!  I refer to the last ten reps when you are exercising.  The ten push-ups, sit-ups, crunches or ten seconds of "planking" that always seem to be the hardest.  Why is it that a part of my brain shuts down when the instructor (Steve the Sometimes Sadist) screams, "Last TEN, BEST Ten!" or worse, when he nudges my belly with his foot to bring it further off the ground when I'm planking?

But I've found that the last ten can be an opportunity to test the final few moments of your strength--to really challenge yourself to go the extra mile when you think for sure you've hit the end of your endurance.  So how do you muster the might to continue.  Here are some tricks:

1 - Pretend you're in the army and your life (and your whole platoon's, for that matter) depends on whether or not you can do those final ten push ups.  If you fail, you'll all DIE!  Yeah, that's motivation!

2 - Remember the last ten bites of pasta, potatoes or rice you indulged in and do one sit-up for each bite that is now sitting complacently on your derriere!

3 - Imagine the last ten tracks in the zipper of your favorite dress--the one that is getting a wee bit snug around the waist when you try to zip and resolve to make it looser by staying the course.

4 - SING along with the music and keep your eyes OFF the clock (clock watching during exercise is the absolute worst thing you can do).

Here's to the final ten!  May they all be swift and easy!    Judy

Regrets...I have a few...

At the end of the day, it isn't going to be the layer cake that you ate that will be eating at you.  It will be the question of whether you were true to yourself when all is said and done.  Did you treat others the way you expect to be treated?  Did you sanctify each moment of your  life and live your life in a morally sound manner?  Did you acknowledge and honor those responsible for blessing you with bounty--beginning with G-d but also others who may have helped you purchase, afford or ultimately be able to earn your sustenance?  What does any of this have to do with being in The Thin Club?  The Thin Club is a state of mind.  It is the balance of your life that enables you to understand what is truly important versus what is not so important.  When food is your focus, the layer cake becomes a goal.  When food is the means to a greater end - a way of fueling your body, staving off hunger and sanctifying where it comes from--it all starts to make sense.  And the layer cake will no longer matter.